Rays log first rainout of year

Posted Apr 3, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 3, 2008 at 05:31 PM

BALTIMORE—Well, the Rays made it one game longer this year. In 2007, the second game of the season was rained out. This time, it was the third.

You know the weather’s bad when a game gets called this early, and it is. Supposed to rain all the way up the Eastern seaboard through tonight and all of tomorrow, so we may be doing this routine again tomorrow.

Unfortunately for the Rays, their charter plane isn’t supposed to get into BWI until about 9:30, so they’re stuck hanging out in the clubhouse for the next few hours. Some intrepid members of the traveling party, however, are hopping trains to get to New York a little earlier tonight.

The Rays have juggled their rotation a bit to make up for tonight’s events. Here’s the new lineup, which features Matt Garza being pushed back a day to start the home opener Tuesday.

Friday - Sonnanstine
Saturday - Jackson
Sunday - Shields
Monday - Hammel
Tuesday - Garza

Joe Maddon’s explanation for going that route was they didn’t want to wait too long to get Hammel his first start. If they’d just skipped Hammel and picked him up the next time, he wouldn’t have started until next Wednesday.

No word yet on when this game might be made up. This morning I predicted Aug. 21, and I think there’s a chance that’ll happen. If not, perhaps a doubleheader May 1. We’ll see.